12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But it endeth in the ways of death! 13 Even by laughter the heart is made sorrowful, And the end of mirth is grief. 14 The perverse of heart shall be filled with his own ways; And from himself shall the good man be satisfied. 15 The simple man believeth every word; But the prudent man considereth his steps. 16 The wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool transgresseth, and is confident. 17 He, who is soon angry, will do foolishly, 18 The simple possess folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil bow before the good, Yea the wicked, at the gates of the righteous man. 20 Even by his own neighbour is the poor man hated; But the friends of the rich man are many. 21 He, who despiseth his neighbour, sinneth; But happy is he, who is kind to the needy! 12 See xii. 15. 13 by laughter-i. e. by immoderate joy. "I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, what doth it?" Eccles. ii. 2. "Sorrow is better than laughter; for, by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better." Eccles. vii. 3. 15 believeth every wordi. e. listens readily to any adviser, who would seduce him from the path of duty. 16 feareth the anger of God. 18 possess folly—and will suffer all the evil consequences of it. 19 at the gates &c.-as humble suppliants for his favour. 20 hated i. e. held in little esteem and avoided. 22 Do not they miss their end, Who devise evil? And are not loving-kindness and truth shown 23 In all labour there is profit; But the words of the lips tend only to want. 24 Their wealth is as a crown to the wise; But the folly of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivereth lives; But a deceitful witness poureth forth lies. 26 In the reverence of JEHOVAH is strong confidence; Yea, to his children there shall be a place of refuge. 27 The reverence of JEHOVAH is a fountain of living waters; By it men depart from the snares of death. 28 In a numerous people consisteth the glory of a king; But the want of subjects is the destruction of a prince. 29 He, who is slow to anger, is of great understanding; But he, who is of a hasty spirit, displayeth his folly. 30 A sound heart giveth health to the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones. 22 miss their end-Heb. wander (from the object which they had proposed to themselves). For the interrogative form of the sentence consult Ps. xiv. 4. Note 1. loving-kindness &c.-See iii. 3. and Note. Consult also 2 Sam. xv. 20. 23 From honest employment of every kind there results advantage, but he, who spends his time in talking mere. ly, will derive from thence no benefit, 24 Their wealth &c.i, e. They make 31 He, who oppresseth a poor man, reproacheth his Maker; But he, who is kind unto the needy, honoureth Him. 32 In his calamity, the wicked man is thrust down; But the righteous man hath hope, even in death. 33 Wisdom quietly abideth in the heart of the wise man; But that which is in fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalteth a people; But sin is a disgrace to nations. 35 The king's favour is towards a prudent servant; But his wrath shall be against him, who causeth shame. 1 A mild answer turneth away wrath; But harsh words raise anger. 2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge pleasing; But the mouth of fools poureth forth folly. 3 The eyes of JEHOVAH are in every place, Observing wicked men and good! ♦ The healing of the tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein breaketh the spirit. 31 his Maker-i. e. the God who not only first created, but placed the poor man in his lowly condition. 32 In his calamity &c-i. e. Under any of the afflictions which befal him, the wicked man has no support. even in death-Heb. in his death. Compare Ps. xvii. 15. and Note 1. 33 quietly abideth-i. e. is not forward in displaying itself, but reserves itself for proper occasions. is made known-i. e. They rashly give utterance, at all times, to their thoughts. See xii. 16; xxix. 11. 35 a prudent servant-i, e. one who acts 5 A fool contemneth the correction of his father; But he, who regardeth rebuke, is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous man is much substance; But in the revenues of the wicked man there is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise spread abroad knowledge; But the heart of fools is not right. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is the abomination of JEHOVAH; But the prayer of the upright is acceptable unto Him. 9 The way of the wicked is the abomination of JEHOVAH; But him, who followeth after righteousness, He loveth. 10 Sore correction shall be to him, who forsaketh the way; He, who hateth rebuke, shall die. 11 The grave, yea the regions of death are before JEHOVAH; How much more the hearts of the sons of men! 12 A scoffer loveth not one, who rebuketh him, Nor doth he go unto the wise. 6 much substance-from which he derives satisfaction and comfort, by making a proper use of it. 7 is not right and therefore no good instruction proceeds from it. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matt. xii. 34. 8 However costly sacrifices may be, yet, if offered by those who lead wicked lives, they are odious in the sight of God; while the prayer alone of the good man, even although unattended by any offering, is graciously accepted by Him. Upon those who had been led to set a high value on the outward observances of the Mosaic law, the spiritual charac G ter of this proverb was calculated to produce a great effect. 10 the roayi.e. the paths of true religion. hateth rebuke-i. e. when chastened, shows an intractable disposition. See xii. 1. and Note 1. 11 are before-i. e. are penetrated by His all-seeing eye. "Hell (i.e. the grave) is naked before him, and destruction (i.e. the regions of death) hath no covering." Job xxvi. 6. 12 loveth not-i. e. abhors. See Ps.cxix. 85. Note 2. 13 A joyous heart maketh a pleasant countenance; But by the sorrow of the heart the spirits are broken. 14 The heart of the man of understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth upon folly. 15 Though all the days of the poor man are evil, Yet he, who is of a cheerful heart, hath a continual feast. 16 Better is a little, with the reverence of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where there is love, Than the stalled ox, and hatred therewith. 18 A passionate man exciteth contention; But he, who is slow to anger, appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is smooth. 20 A wise son gladdeneth his father; But a foolish man holdeth his mother in contempt. 21 Folly is joy to the man, void of understanding; But the man of discernment is careful to walk uprightly. 14 feedeth upon folly-having no relish for the precepts of wisdom. 15 Great as undoubtedly are the trials to which the poor man is exposed, yet he is not denied the luxury which inward peace, contentment, and cheerfulness of heart resulting from these, can bestow. 16 with the reverence of Jehovahand that inward peace and freedom from disquietude which flow from thence. See i. 33. 17 stalled i. e. fattened. This proverb acquires additional force from the ordinary mode of living amongst those to whom it was addressed by Solomon. Animal food was highly prized, and rarely met with, except at the tables of the opulent. 19 as a hedge &c.-i. e. as if he were walking through briars. The meaning is, that every thing, requiring effort, becomes painful and uneasy to him who indulges in slothful habits. is smooth-Heb. (is) a highway. i.e. a path so formed as to be easy to the foot of the traveller. 21 joy-Compare x. 23. |